An unknown thief has stolen a tablet computer containing "secret" documents relating to the Moscow mayoral election campaign of candidate Mikhail Degtyaryov of the Liberal Democratic Party, a senior party official said.
The device was stolen on Monday from a car parked on 16 Novoryazanskaya Ulitsa, where the party's Moscow headquarters are located, said Igor Lebedev, head of the party's State Duma faction.
The car belonged to Nikita Krichevsky, an economist who advises the party.
"The economic part of the election campaign" was saved on the computer, while "important documents related to the campaign" were inside its case, Lebedev wrote on his blog.
The information contained "tactical secrets," he said.
Although he didn't point the finger at anyone in particular, he broadly accused the party's rivals of having planned the theft.
"Our political opponents have committed burglary. I am sure that this is a theft of information," he said.
Duma Deputy Mikhail Degtyaryov, 32, registered as the party's candidate for the mayoral race on June 15. The election will be held on Sept. 8, marking the first time in 10 years that Moscow voters have been able to choose their mayor by popular vote.
Acting Mayor Sergei Sobyanin — who is running as an independent candidate, but with the backing of the ruling United Russia party — is expected to win comfortably.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.